View from New Zealand (From Barry And District News)

View from New Zealand

WELL, the Lions squad has been announced and the main comments circulating on this side of the world are not why so many English are named when they were so poor in the Six Nations, nor so much about whether Jonny was in or out, but more about why the squad was So Big!

Do they really need 44 (maybe 47) players?

And then there is the coaching/support staff! Sir Clive The Wood is obviously leaving no stone unturned, although his biggest task will be to get the Celtic players on board. I think O'Driscoll will be the key here.

The other big question the media here are asking is not so much who will be in the Test XV, but what style of game will Woodward want to play?

Will he rely on what he knows best (grinding England forward play), or will he use the pace and finesse of the Welsh backs?

If we are to expect a typical cold and wet New Zealand winter's evening, the former may be in evidence, and I wouldn't be surprised to see Dallaglio, Hill and Back at the base of the scrum, playing some ugly but effective football.

Nevertheless, the excitement is already mounting. Many New Zealanders still talk fondly about the old Lions tours to New Zealand, especially the 1971 tour featuring Barry John, Gareth Edwards, JPR etc.

And in an age where the rugby menu is filled with Super 12 and Tri-Nations fare, featuring the same old players game after game, it will be a refreshing change to witness a full-on old-fashioned tour, bringing world- class players (and Ian Balshaw) to great rugby outposts like Rotorua, New Plymouth and Invercargill.

Amazingly enough, there are still tickets available for all games, even the Test matches if you are willing to pay $375 (about £140).

I'm sure they will be snapped up by the expected hordes of Lions supporters when they arrive.

Actually, I'm not sure whether the Kiwis know what is about to hit them. They are already talking about having to use cruise liners for accommodation, all the campervans are booked out, getting around the country will be a mission (we are talking about a country with a joke of a public transport system), flights in and out of the major test venues are already fully booked - and there is the small matter of beer.

I would not be surprised to see a repeat of Australia 2001, with pubs running dry on match day.

All that aside, I can't wait for the action to start. One thing is certain - it's going to be a close series. I'll keep you posted.